{"id":20631,"date":"2021-12-15T12:53:06","date_gmt":"2021-12-15T11:53:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/?p=20631"},"modified":"2022-01-03T09:27:02","modified_gmt":"2022-01-03T08:27:02","slug":"emergency-hiv-prevention","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/emergency-hiv-prevention\/","title":{"rendered":"Emergency HIV Prevention"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the 1980s the <\/span>AIDS<\/span><\/a> epidemic swept through communities, taking lives, and breaking hearts.\u00a0 <\/span>The LGBTQ+ communities were hit especially hard thanks in part to how <\/span>HIV<\/span><\/a> is transmitted and the varying levels of access to care that people had. <\/span>Although it can still be incredibly scary and life-changing, an HIV diagnosis is no longer a death sentence. For people that live in areas that have access to proper health care, HIV can be managed so that people can go on living their lives. <\/span>That being said, no one wants to get HIV.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Luckily, there are more and more ways to prevent its transmission \u2013 one of them being emergency HIV treatment.\u00a0 <\/span>Before we get into what that looks like, you have to understand the basics of HIV and AIDS.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is HIV?<\/b><\/p>\n

Human immunodeficiency virus<\/span>, more commonly known as HIV, attacks a person\u2019s immune cells, making it difficult for them to fight infections and diseases. <\/span>HIV is spread through blood, semen, and vaginal fluids, however, it isn\u2019t spread through saliva. <\/span>The virus is most commonly transmitted through vaginal and anal sex, as well as through sharing drug injection equipment. <\/span>Although there are treatments available that allow people to live relatively long and healthy lives with HIV, there is not yet a cure. This means if you have it, you have it for life. <\/span><\/p>\n

If HIV is left untreated, over time it can turn into AIDS, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is AIDS?<\/b><\/p>\n

AIDS is a disease that can develop from the virus HIV. Essentially, it\u2019s HIV in its last stages.\u00a0<\/span>This happens when the virus badly damages the body\u2019s immune system, making it difficult for it to fight off even mild illnesses and infections.\u00a0<\/span>Once HIV develops into AIDS, it can still be treated, but without treatment, life expectancy falls to about one year. <\/span>Like we said before, there are so more and more options these days for not only HIV treatment, but prevention.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

These life-saving medical advances have led to a <\/span>thirty percent decline<\/span> in new HIV infections globally since 2010. <\/span>Let\u2019s take a look at what that might look like in an ’emergency situation.’<\/span><\/p>\n

Emergency Transmission Prevention: PEP<\/b><\/p>\n

Life happens, and sometimes we\u2019re left in a situation where we have to adapt and use what we\u2019ve got. <\/span>Especially when it comes to preventing the transmission of life-altering <\/span>sexually transmitted infections<\/span><\/a> like HIV.\u00a0 <\/span>If you believe you may have been exposed to HIV, it\u2019s important to seek emergency preventative care.<\/span><\/p>\n

The medication used for this is called PEP (<\/span>post-exposure prophylaxis<\/span>). In an emergency, PEP must be started within 72 hours of possible exposure to HIV, however, it works best when started 24 hours after exposure.\u00a0 <\/span>After that, you take the medication daily for twenty-eight days.<\/span><\/p>\n

PEP<\/span> works by using a combination of three drugs that prevent HIV from making copies of itself and spreading through the body. <\/span>When taking PEP, it\u2019s imperative that you take it correctly and consistently for the full four-week course, and prevent exposure to HIV again while taking it. You\u2019ll also want to use condoms with sexual partners, and avoid sharing needles, syringes, and other drug equipment. <\/span>Although PEP isn\u2019t 100% effective when used correctly and on time, it typically lowers someone\u2019s chance of getting HIV by more than 80%.<\/span><\/p>\n

Where Do You Get PEP?<\/b><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re wondering where to get PEP, we\u2019re here to help.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are plenty of places where PEP can be obtained, here are a few:<\/span><\/p>\n